A COCKENZIE man has been banned from shouting and swearing at his neighbours following alleged incidents which it was claimed caused "considerable" distress to people.

Stephen Ritchie, 45, of High Street, was handed a 12-month anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) after East Lothian Council applied to Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The local authority presented the court with a dossier of alleged behaviour by Mr Ritchie, including shouting and swearing, playing loud music and repeatedly slamming doors.

The ASBO bans him from shouting and swearing at neighbours and other local people in and around High Street or having more than two people in his house at any given time, unless they are there for work purposes.

It follows on from an interim ASBO issued against Ritchie earlier this year.

A council spokesperson said: “There is a significant history of anti-social behaviour complaints made against Mr Ritchie in East Lothian, and particularly in and around a property in High Street, Cockenzie, which has caused considerable alarm and distress to others.

"East Lothian Council will seek court orders against those who persist in behaving in an anti-social manner. The council has a robust anti-social behaviour policy in place that will be applied to all reported incidences of anti-social behaviour.”